Taylor k2006 chlorine test - how clear is clear??

[ninjajim4]

Something is going wrong there. The speedstir is nice, but not required. How long is the test taking? The point above was that if you leave it sitting too long, it’ll go pink again.

I mean... it does seem kind of sad/pathetic that I can't do this properly without aid of this machine.

Of course the 100 drop test took forever, and I considered that the solution might be turning. So I really ran through the next tries very fast and also looked up a YouTube video after the first try and tried to emulate that. But perhaps in my haste I was creating the same outcome by not stirring as thoroughly. I tried to do it in under a minute or two.

I really don't know. I opened this thread with the thought that after it's not that deep pink any longer then I've achieved the end result and maybe I was over analyzing... but it certainly doesn't seem so.

Anyway... I will report back after the speedstir arrives. It's at least one variable less to account for.

 

[Bperry]

I mean... it does seem kind of sad/pathetic that I can't do this properly without aid of this machine.

Of course the 100 drop test took forever, and I considered that the solution might be turning. So I really ran through the next tries very fast and also looked up a YouTube video after the first try and tried to emulate that. But perhaps in my haste I was creating the same outcome by not stirring as thoroughly. I tried to do it in under a minute or two.

I really don't know. I opened this thread with the thought that after it's not that deep pink any longer then I've achieved the end result and maybe I was over analyzing... but it certainly doesn't seem so.

Anyway... I will report back after the speedstir arrives. It's at least one variable less to account for.

100 drops would be very high FC but your previous statement means there should be almost no chlorine. So something isn’t adding up. Try the speed stir or post a picture of what the end result looks like.

 

[Saturn94]

If it hasn’t been suggested already, thoroughly clean the sample tube with bleach or alcohol. I’ve seen many posts where this fixed wonky readings. Residues on the tube can sometimes cause wonky readings.

 

[SecoSteve]

Also, with the speed stir or smart stir, when doing the Chlorine test even though the sample looks clear, always add one more drop and see if it goes even clearer. I've been doing this test long enough and when you think the sample is clear, one more drop makes it even more clear. When the last drop doesn't make a change, do not count that last drop.

 

[Mdragger88]

I mean... it does seem kind of sad/pathetic that I can't do this properly without aid of this machine.

Of course the 100 drop test took forever, and I considered that the solution might be turning. So I really ran through the next tries very fast and also looked up a YouTube video after the first try and tried to emulate that. But perhaps in my haste I was creating the same outcome by not stirring as thoroughly. I tried to do it in under a minute or two.

I really don't know. I opened this thread with the thought that after it's not that deep pink any longer then I've achieved the end result and maybe I was over analyzing... but it certainly doesn't seem so.

Anyway... I will report back after the speedstir arrives. It's at least one variable less to account for.

The reason I suggested continually swirling while dropping (1 drop per second)
is to prevent the lag time (which may allow the solution to become more pink again) thus throwing off the test. The higher the fc level the more this becomes a cumulative problem. If you’re not using a 10 ml sample then you also have even more drops.
The other tests aren’t as affected by this lag time as the fas dpd test.

 

[ninjajim4]

Also, with the speed stir or smart stir, when doing the Chlorine test even though the sample looks clear, always add one more drop and see if it goes even clearer. I've been doing this test long enough and when you think the sample is clear, one more drop makes it even more clear. When the last drop doesn't make a change, do not count that last drop.

Well speedstir arrived promptly and it was great. Ran through the whole battery of tests. Looks like I'm at 2ppm, though to the above point, maybe I should have tried another drop or two, which I did figure out with later tests. I added some Chlorox per PoolMath's reco, so I will test again shortly and work on the technique.

Regardless, everything was certainly much clearer and straightforward and i'm very glad I bought the thing. I'll post follow up questions in the relevant forum(s). Thanks for everyone's input and tips!

 

[ninjajim4]

I do have one last question, relating to the speed stirrer. Is it ok come into contact with all of the test water/chemicals? Asking since I would normally interact quite minimally, but I have to pull out and rinse the magnetic stirring pill each time.

 

[ninjajim4]

And final follow up here.... I just tested again after pouring in the prescribed amount from PoolMath that would bring the FC up to 5, and testing showed 4.8. That was such a fun and enjoyable confirmation of my own test from both times, of the speedstir, of PoolMath... Very cool how accurate, predictable and validating. My new favorite gadget for sure!

 

[Bperry]

I do have one last question, relating to the speed stirrer. Is it ok come into contact with all of the test water/chemicals? Asking since I would normally interact quite minimally, but I have to pull out and rinse the magnetic stirring pill each time.

No worries, I just dump the stuff in the sink and rinse it out.

Be careful of Clorox bleach as it tends to have other stuff in it like fabric softeners, perfumes in it which is what the “cloromax” technology is.

 

[Mdragger88]

The stirrer is water resistant .
I don’t generally splash reagent on it.
Rinse the pill in the cylinder (so they both get rinsed) then stick the pill to the stirrer magnet so it doesn’t get lost.
Use a 10ml sample and every drop counts as .5ppm - this will save your reagent & is plenty accurate.
For fc- Aim for high target
FC/CYA Levels
so you don’t get caught playing kissy face with minimum anymore
Like Bperry said- no cloromax or fabric protectors etc.
get some unadulterated liquid chlorine.
Walmart, lowes, Home Depot, ace hardware, menards, etc has it

 

[ninjajim4]

No worries, I just dump the stuff in the sink and rinse it out.

Be careful of Clorox bleach as it tends to have other stuff in it like fabric softeners, perfumes in it which is what the “cloromax” technology is.

It was all I could find that particular day, which happened to be extremely stormy and flash floods... and I wanted to get SOMETHING but not go somewhere else..! But I think the one I got is ok, based on Chlorox's website:

Can You Use Bleach to Clean a Pool? | Clorox®

Do you have a green pool and can you use bleach to clean it? Absolutely. Learn how to clean your swimming pool using bleach instead of traditional chlorine.

www.clorox.com

I got the "Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach" which doesn't have "no spill" agents or any fragrance. That was still an unexpectedly, annoyingly long time standing in the bleach aisle doing Google research, when I thought I was going to just pop in and out of the grocery store

 

[Mdragger88]

It was all I could find that particular day, which happened to be extremely stormy and flash floods... and I wanted to get SOMETHING but not go somewhere else..! But I think the one I got is ok, based on Chlorox's website:

Can You Use Bleach to Clean a Pool? | Clorox®

Do you have a green pool and can you use bleach to clean it? Absolutely. Learn how to clean your swimming pool using bleach instead of traditional chlorine.

www.clorox.com

I got the "Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach" which doesn't have "no spill" agents or any fragrance. That was still an unexpectedly, annoyingly long time standing in the bleach aisle doing Google research, when I thought I was going to just pop in and out of the grocery store

It has cloromax

It can be foamy & weird - one little dose probably won’t hurt but get something else

 

[Mdragger88]

Where to find Liquid Chlorine

We want to help you with your pool and maintain your water. Help users find a quality source of Chlorine around them or find a source for your pool.

www.google.com

 

[revitup]

If you really want to make testing quick and easy, get 5 or 6 vials and stirring pills. No back and forth to the sink rinsing between tests.

 

[ninjajim4]

Boo... looking at the botttle, you and bperry are correct of course.

Hopefully I get the saltwater generator dialed in sooner than not but I will get something else for the interim.

Where to find Liquid Chlorine

We want to help you with your pool and maintain your water. Help users find a quality source of Chlorine around them or find a source for your pool.

www.google.com

 

[Bperry]

Boo... looking at the botttle, you and bperry are correct of course.

Hopefully I get the saltwater generator dialed in sooner than not but I will get something else for the interim.

Generally cheaper at the hardware stores vs the grocery store.

 

[proavia]

Check Menards, BJ's, Lowes, HD, Ace or a local pool store for liquid chlorine.

The SWG will stop generating in the mid to upper 50* temp range.
You can use liquid chlorine in the shoulder months.
Close late - open early.

 

[SecoSteve]

I do have one last question, relating to the speed stirrer. Is it ok come into contact with all of the test water/chemicals? Asking since I would normally interact quite minimally, but I have to pull out and rinse the magnetic stirring pill each time.

The only reagent to avoid is the Salt Test Silver Nitrate. Had a family member get it on his skin and when he went out in the sun after thoroughly rinsing off had a reaction. His skin turned brown and was stained for a couple weeks.

I test near a sink and when a test is done, I slowly pour out the test in the sink and rinse the cylinder and stir bar with the faucet. Then I rinse the cylinder/stir bar again with pool water and move to the next test. I try to limit how much interaction I have with the testing chemicals.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

With that Taylor vial shipped with the stirring device, I would use a Sharpee marker to mark the 10cc and 25cc lines. The ones on that vial are hard to see, IMO.
Extra vials and magnetic beans are very handy to have.
The FAS-DPD test can discolor the vial over time, so I keep a vial only for that test, and clean it as needed with some rubbing alcohol and paper towel.

Maddie